The Duchess of Kent

About The Duchess of Kent

The Duchess was born on 22 February 1933, the youngest child and only daughter of the late Sir William Worsley.

Her father, the fourth Baronet, captained the Yorkshire Cricket Club team, was President of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) and was for 14 years Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire.

She grew up at Hovingham Hall near York, the Worsley family home since the early eighteenth century.

The Duchess considered herself a proud Yorkshirewoman throughout her life, and was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of York in 1989. She retained her links with the county as the Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Dragoon Guards and was also Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the Adjutant General's Corps and The Royal Logistics Corps until her death in 2025.

Her mother, Joyce Morgan Brunner, was the daughter of Sir John Brunner - the founder of Brunner Mond, which became ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries). Her uncle married the grand-daughter of the famous 18th century actor, Sir Henry Irving.

Education

Katharine was educated at Queen Margaret's School near York and at Runton Hill School in Norfolk.

From an early age she demonstrated a talent for music. She was taught to play the piano, organ and violin, which she played throughout her life.

She worked for some time in a children's home in York and taught at a nursery/pre-school in London, before going on to Oxford to study music.

Marriage and family

The Duchess first met Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, when he was stationed at Catterick near Richmond in 1956. Their engagement was announced in March 1961 and they were married in York Minster on 8th June that year.

They had three children and ten grandchildren. The children are George, Earl of St. Andrews; Lady Helen Windsor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor. The Duke and Duchess's children do not carry out official Royal duties.

Working life

The Duchess became a working Member of The Royal Family following her marriage, and in 1977 she was created a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).

She was well-known for supporting The Duke of Kent in his role as President of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, particularly at Wimbledon, where she presented the Ladies' Singles Trophy for many years, famously comforting Jana Novotna after her defeat in the 1993 final.

The Duchess of Kent held the Honorary Freedom of five of the ancient City companies: the Worshipful Companies of Clothworkers, Dyers, Glaziers, Musicians and the Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers.

In 1994 The Duchess was received into the Roman Catholic Church.

For the last three decades of her life, The Duchess focused on her passion for music, stepping aside as a working Member of The Royal Family in 2002 to focus on her private and charitable work in this sector.

For a number of years, Her Royal Highness taught music at a primary school in Hull. During this time, she recognised that many children and young people of considerable talent needed additional financial support to fulfil their musical potential.

In 2004 she founded a charity, Future Talent, which aimed to give every child an equal opportunity to excel in music. Future Talent sought to do for musically talented children what teaching, care and motivation did for Billy Elliot in dance.

Through tailor-made partnerships with primary schools, Future Talent brought music into the lives of many children, spotting talent, equipping talented children with instruments and tuition and, in exceptional cases, providing master tuition to enable them to make music their future career.

Whether children wanted to sing, play the violin or the electric guitar, the charity gave them the chance to fulfil their potential through developing their musical talent.

The Duchess of Kent was an ambassador for Aldeburgh Productions in Suffolk and was, for 35 years, the President of the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester). She was also a Trustee of the National Foundation for Youth Music (London).

The Duchess travelled the world for UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Fund) and VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas), highlighting specific areas of deprivation. In 1999 she visited Cambodia, Macedonia and Nepal.

Her Royal Highness was President of NCH Action For Children and President and Board Member of Macmillan Cancer Relief. She chaired the London Committee of the Manchester Christie (Cancer) Hospital Appeal.

The Duchess was Patron of the RUC Benevolent Fund in Northern Ireland.

Her Royal Highness was Visitor to the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, Patron of Queensland Conservatorium; the Yehudi Menuhin School; the Ulster Conservatoire of Music and the Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

She was also a volunteer for the Passage Night Shelter for the homeless, which was founded by Cardinal Basil Hume.

Members of the public wishing to pay their condolences to Her Royal Highness's family can do so using this form.